Verizon Online Expands High-Speed Internet Access in North Carolina

ASHEVILLE, N.C. - Verizon Online is raising the speed limit on approximately 70,000 telephone lines throughout western North Carolina with the introduction of its super-fast digital subscriber line (DSL) Internet access service for consumers and businesses.

Expanding the availability of Verizon Online's DSL service is part of a 14-state initiative to bring the service to an additional 1.2 million lines. Verizon Online now offers DSL service in 26 states and the District of Columbia.

Recently, Verizon Online enhanced its DSL service by extending its lowest prices to customers who subscribe to an annual DSL plan, and including a free combination modem and "home gateway" router with the service. The home gateway enables DSL customers to share their DSL connection among multiple computers in their home.

"Verizon Online offers an unbeatable combination -- affordable high-speed Internet access, compelling content, great services and MSN Premium," said Alan Ciamporcero, president-public policy and external affairs, Southeast region, Verizon. "Our customers can really experience the Internet fast lane to listen to music, play games, watch streaming baseball, shop, work from home and a million other things. We're pleased to bring the benefits of Verizon Online DSL with MSN Premium to additional communities in western North Carolina."

Verizon Online DSL with MSN Premium Consumer Offer

Qualifying new Verizon Online DSL customers can receive DSL service with a maximum connection speed of 1.5 Mbps (megabits per second) downstream and 384 Kbps (kilobits per second) upstream for just $29.95 when subscribing to an annual service plan or when purchasing the service as part of a package of Verizon local and long-distance services. Other customers will pay $34.95 a month for this service.

The gateway is included at no additional charge with Verizon Online's annual service plan and costs $49.95 for qualifying customers who purchase DSL as part of a Verizon calling package. The gateway is $99.95 for customers who do not purchase DSL with a calling package or select an annual service plan.

Verizon Online DSL with MSN Premium service includes:

• Round-the-clock technical support
• MSN Premium software ($99 annual value) that provides
  • A firewall, virus protection, and pop-up ad guards
  • MLB.com all-access pass to streaming baseball games and other inside baseball information ($99 annual value)
• 9 e-mail accounts
• 10 MB (megabytes) of Web space
• 30-day money-back guarantee

Customers can be billed for DSL on their monthly Verizon telephone bill or a credit card. Local Verizon telephone customers who want to order DSL service or get more information can go online at www.verizon.net or call Verizon at 1-800-PICK-DSL.

Variety of DSL Packages Available for Businesses

Businesses can choose from a variety of DSL speeds and services tailored specifically for small and medium-sized businesses. In June, Verizon reduced the cost of its 1.5Mbps/384Kbps dynamic IP (Internet protocol) DSL for businesses to $59.95 from $89.95 and its static IP DSL to $79.95 from $119.95. Verizon Online DSL for businesses includes:

• 20 MB (megabytes) of Web space that can be used to create an online storefront
• Unlimited dial-up access
• Business-grade e-mail for employees (name@yourbusinessname.com)
• Business-grade technical support available round-the-clock
• 30-day money-back guarantee
• On-time guarantee

Business customers can receive a 20 percent discount on their DSL service if they combine high-speed Internet access with other Verizon services. Additional plans and pricing information are available at http://biz.verizon.net/pands/dsl/. Customers who sign up online receive one month of free service.

Verizon Online's DSL service in now available to qualified consumers in the following communities and areas:

Technical Definitions

DSL service generally is available to homes and offices located within approximately three miles of Verizon's local switching center or "central office." Some technical limitations may interfere with the ability of individual telephone lines to get DSL, even when the lines are within three miles of a DSL-equipped central office.

Downstream and upstream speeds describing Verizon Online's DSL services are maximum connection speeds between the customer's computer and Verizon's DSL equipment. Actual connection speeds may vary from the maximum speeds and may be lower than the advertised line rate. Throughput (download and upload) speeds will be lower than connection speeds and vary based on the telephone line's condition and distance from Verizon's central office, home or office wiring and the server or router speed of sites visited on the Internet, among other factors.

Verizon Communications

A Dow 30 company, Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) is one of the world's leading providers of communications services, with approximately $68 billion in annual revenues. Verizon companies are the largest providers of wireline and wireless communications in the United States. Verizon is also the largest directory publisher in the world, as measured by directory titles and circulation. Verizon's international presence includes wireline and wireless communications operations and investments, primarily in the Americas and Europe. For more information, visit www.verizon.com.

####